Thursday, December 6, 2012

Div 2 Playoffs - Final Round Preview

Group A - Sunday

The final round of the group stages is upon us with one remaining side from a trio of candidates bidding to join Ayutthaya in the second tier of Thai football in 2013.
Roi Et Utd still hold the edge on 13 points with Phitsanulok and Rayong Utd lingering two points behind them. All three clubs hit the road which doesn't bode well as between them only Roi Et have one away win to their name in the group stages with the other two yet to register three points from their travels.
A win for Roi Et would kill all the possible permutations but a draw for them and victories for the other two would leave them all on 14 points. As far as head-to heads go, Roi Et have a better H2H over Rayong Utd but a worse one against Phitsanulok. Rayong Utd and Phitsanulok would tie as both games ended in 1-0 home wins. I believe it's then decided by number of wins, goals scored and then goal difference (don't quote me though).

Group B - Saturday

Trat v Chiang Mai FC
Thai Honda v Trang
Rayong FC v Sisaket Utd

Similar to Group A, there are three sides vying for that all important second promotion place. The lucky winners of the golden ticket will join Trat in Division 1 next year.
The Top 4 clash this Saturday with Trat hosting Chiang Mai FC while Rayong FC welcome Sisaket Utd.
With Rayong and Chaing Mai tied on 15 points, and Sisaket one behind on 14, the possible scenarios are listed below:

A win for Rayong FC over Sisaket Utd would guarantee promotion regardless of the Chiang Mai scoreline as the Wild Horses have a superior head-to-head record

A draw would also be sufficient for Rayong FC provided Chiang Mai don't beat Trat